Domestic Adoption vs International Adoption

Adoption Inquiry Packet

To learn more about the adoption process, you can download the Adoption Inquiry Packet or you can complete the contact us form and we will mail it to you.

Financial Assistance

Do not lose hope if you think you are not that financially stable to pursue an Adoption. There are a number of ways for you to cope with this difficulty. See our Financial Assistance Section for more information.

Testimonials

"We greatly appreciate their integrity, concern, and professionalism as they guided our family through the adoption process." -- Dominic and Eleanor M.

An adoption is considered domestic when you adopt a child who is a citizen of the United States, or a U.S. citizen born abroad. Compared to International Adoption, Domestic Adoption has its own advantages and disadvantages. The following table sums up the differences and similarities between Domestic and International Adoptions.

Children Available for Adoption

Domestic: Mostly newborns and infants.

International: Mostly toddlers up

Health of the Children

Domestic: Medical records are available. Most birth families in the country are able to seek medical services.

International: Medical records are scarce. Little is known about what health issues the child may have.

Risk Factor

Domestic: Birthmothers can change their mind as long as legal documents are not yet signed. Most states allow the mother 48 to 72 hours after child delivery to make last minute changes in their decisions.

International: US agencies do not have any control over the adoption procedures in other countries. Several factors that affect the foreign government may affect the adoption process. In worst cases, it can be terminated. The priority of some foreign orphanages is to place the child as soon as possible. Thus, cases when the promised child is placed in other agencies are not uncommon.

Travel Requirements

Domestic: At least one parent must travel to the state where the child is born and stay for roughly a week for legal processes.

International: Both parents are required to travel to the foreign country for the adoption to be legal. They must stay for the processing of legal documents within the foreign country. The length of processing varies from one government to another. In some cases, the adoptive parents are required to travel several times. See our International Adoption section for more details.